By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: National Commission for Protection of Child’s Right (NCPCR), Dr Yogesh Dube, has lashed out at the State Mining Policy while demanding a complete ban on rat hole mining system prevalent in the State.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Dr Dube said, “The Policy does not ensure a complete child labour ban and the Director of the concerned department has assured that the points raised by the NCPCR will be incorporated in the Policy.”
“The Policy is more benefitting for the mine owners,” he added.
Despite threats to the environment and health hazards for the miners, the Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012 has not prohibited rat-hole mining prevalent in the State which has not gone down well with the NCPCR.
“No child labour should be there and rat hole mining is dangerous,” Dr Dube stated, while adding that a policy which does not envisage welfare of child labourers should not be approved.
Dr Dube also expressed concern over the fact that the Policy does not talk about any punitive action that can be taken against employment of child labour.
The NCPCR official also stated that the Sixth Schedule does not permit violation of child rights. He said that mining in the State has to be done in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines.